What Is an Organ Transplant?

Here’s everything you need to know about when a transplant is necessary and what to expect before, during, and after transplant surgery.

Even if the situation is not immediately life-threatening, an organ transplant can significantly improve a person’s quality of life by restoring their ability to care for themselves and to enjoy the things they love doing.

• Liver
• Kidney
• Pancreas
• Heart
• Lung
• Intestine
• Vascularized composite allografts (VCAs), such as face and hand transplantation

• Corneas
• Heart valves
• Bone marrow
• Bone
• Skin
• Tendons and ligaments
• Cartilage
• Blood vessels
• Nerves

It's possible to receive an organ from a deceased donor or a living donor. Here’s what to know about each type.

• Deceased donors: Deceased donors have consented to donate one or more of their organs after they’ve died (or, in some cases, been declared legally brain dead). To receive a donated organ from a deceased donor, a doctor must give you a referral and you’ll need to be added to the national organ transplant waiting list. Most donated organs come from deceased donors.

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• Living donors: Living donors are often family members, but can also be people who wish to donate to a stranger. You can receive an organ from a living donor without being on a waiting list.

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   Living donors donate organs that they can “spare” — such as a kidney or part of the liver — without compromising their own quality of life.

Organ transplants are complicated procedures, and the details of the surgery will vary significantly depending on the organ that’s being replaced.

1. You will receive general anesthesia and be put on a ventilator. An intravenous (IV) line will be placed to deliver fluids; a catheter is inserted into the urethra to drain urine from your bladder; and the transplant surgeon will make an incision in order to access the organ.
2. The diseased organ will be disconnected from its blood supply and removed. (In some liver transplants, the original organ remains and the new one is placed in another area of the abdomen.)

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3. The new organ is attached to the veins and arteries that supply its blood.
4. The surgeon closes the incision.
5. A tube is placed in the abdomen to drain any liquid that collects there.
6. You will be taken to the recovery room, where you will be monitored as you wake up from anesthesia.

With the help of family, friends, and possibly a social worker at your hospital or through an organ transplant organization, you’ll want to gather information about transplant centers that fit your needs. Things to consider include the facility’s location, whether it’s covered by your insurance, and whether it offers support groups.

The Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OPTN) has a searchable list of transplant centers.

Since waiting for a transplant can be a stressful and emotional time for both the patient and their family, it’s not uncommon to experience anxiety or depression. You may want to seek out an in-person or online support group specifically for transplant patients to help you work through your feelings and concerns.

Once an organ becomes available, you will need to get to the hospital and transplant center as soon as possible. Make sure your transplant team has your phone number (and a backup number) and keep your phone near you at all times.

• Toothbrush
• Comb or hairbrush
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Toiletries
• Mobile phone, computer, or tablet
• Paper, pen, and reading materials
• Small amount of cash

All organ transplant surgeries are complex, and your experience — and recovery — will depend on which type of organ is being replaced and for what reason.

1. You’ll check into the hospital and fill out any necessary forms.
2. You will change into a hospital gown.
3. Your blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate will be measured.
4. You will talk with the anesthesiologist and possibly the surgeon before entering the operating room.
5. After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room and monitored as you wake up from the anesthesia.
6. Once you are out of the recovery room, you will likely spend a few days in the intensive care unit before being moved to a step-down unit. You can expect to spend roughly a week in the hospital before going home.

All surgeries come with some risks, but there are special concerns when undergoing an organ transplant. Risks will also differ depending on the type of transplant surgery performed.

• Chipped teeth or sore throat from the breathing tube being inserted
• Allergic reaction to anesthesia
• Infection from IV lines
• A blood transfusion necessitated by blood loss
• A collapsed lung
• Need for mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine or respirator) after surgery
• Death due to underlying heart or lung problems

• Transplant rejection, which can occur when the recipient's immune system attacks the new organ or tissue

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• Increased risk of infection due to immunosuppressant medications
• Short-term side effects from anti-rejection medications, such as hair growth, acne, mood swings, and weight gain (these symptoms will likely improve once the medications are tapered down in the months after the transplant)

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• Very small risk of infection with HIV, hepatitis B, other viruses, or cancer from the donor organ (organs are screened carefully for these before being accepted for donation)
• Risk of infectious diseases from donated blood if you need a blood transfusion during surgery

Most organ recipients say they feel much better soon after the transplant, but others take longer to improve. It will take time to get back to your normal routine regardless of which type of organ was transplanted.

If you experience any side effects of transplant rejection, such as fever or flu-like symptoms, or feel unwell in any way, contact your care team right away.

• Cardiovascular issues, including heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertension
• Neurological complications, such as stroke and seizure disorders
• Gastrointestinal complications, including infections, perforation, and pancreatitis
• Immune system problems, including infections, and cancer
• Kidney problems
• Gout
• Osteoporosis

The Takeaway

• Organ transplants are performed when a vital organ, such as the heart, liver, or kidneys, fails due to a genetic disorder, illness, or injury.
• The failing organ is replaced with an organ from either a living or deceased donor.
• It’s essential to do what you can to stay physically and mentally healthy as you wait for a healthy organ to become available.
• Organ transplants do come with many risks, including transplant rejection, and cardiovascular, neurological, and immune system problems.